A witness uploaded a picture to Twitter showing people with shovels in hand at the scene. Residents also told how the Edale Mountain Rescue Team also attended to give assistance.

Steve Ryszka, who lives close by, described the road as 'virtually impassable to all but four wheel drive vehicles.'

He added: "Residents tried their best to help by clearing snow and fetching grit from a grit bin at the top of the road.

"However the ambulance had to abandon the attempt and reversed down the road possibly with a view to attempting Lees Hall Avenue which has an easier gradient.

Stuck ambulance.

"At this point I left the window to continue other things I was doing. Then after about five or ten minutes I heard movement on the road and opened the window to see a large Edale Mountain Rescue Team vehicle towing the NHS ambulance up the road easily."